Coated construction substrates

ABSTRACT

Construction substrates that have one or more coatings are disclosed, which can be used to construct fence systems. In one embodiment the coating is an adhesive mixture that is magnetically induced to attract a magnetic template. The template that is magnetic or magnetically attracted, that is applied to a construction substrate, is used to create a pattern when a subsequent coating is applied to the substrate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/915,101 filed Jul. 25, 2001.

[0002] This invention relates, generally to the construction of coatedconstruction substrates and to fencing components using coatedconstruction substrates.

[0003] Structures, roads, driveways, sidewalks, fences, roofs, floors,panels and the like have been coated in some way to improve theirfunction and/or appearance. Fences, on the other hand, are generallyconstructed of wood or vinyl products in a multitude of forms such asrail fences, blockade fences, etc. Fences are typically used to indicateboundary areas or at least are located proximate boundary lines.

[0004] Alternatives to fences are permanent walls where footing arepoured and a structure is built, which may have a brick facing or otherdecorative facing. This type of alternative is significantly moreexpensive than constructing a fence.

[0005] The present invention is directed to a fence which obtains thebenefits of a decorative wall, such as a brick wall, yet is constructedlike a fence structure, thereby achieving significant cost savings overthe more permanent walls. The fence structure includes a structuralsubstrate or panel having a coating, wherein the panels are installedbetween the posts anchored to the ground surface or partially buried inthe ground. This same structural substrate can be used as a wall,siding, a panel, a roof, an interlocking roof panel (tile) a floor, aceiling, a road, a driveway, a sidewalk, and the like. The structuralsubstrate can be rigid such as cement or flexible such as a metal orplastic sheet or either flexible or rigid such as wood. The inventioncomprises the features that will be exemplified in the descriptionhereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be set forthin the claims. According to the invention, the coating comprises:

[0006] a) an acrylic polymer,

[0007] b) a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene, and

[0008] c) sand.

[0009] To form a pattern on the structural substrate, two coatings arepreferably applied to the structural substrate. The first coating, orbond or adhesive coating, contains:

[0010] a) an acrylic polymer,

[0011] b) a chlorinated rubber, such as neoprene,

[0012] c) sand, and,

[0013] d) a first colorant.

[0014] The second coating or non-adhesive coating, contains:

[0015] a) an acrylic polymer,

[0016] b) sand, and,

[0017] c) a colorant, preferably of a different color than the firstcolorant. The colorant can be the natural color of the composition.

[0018] The second coating forms a discontinuous coating on the firstcoating in the form of a pattern. A third coating can be applied to thetop coating on the substrate as a sealing coat, such as a waterrepellant sealer. Examples are THOMSON water sealer, and DRYVIT sealer.

[0019] According to the invention, the structural substrate can have amagnetic coating. The magnetic coating, also an adhesive coating,contains:

[0020] a) an acrylic polymer,

[0021] b) a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene,

[0022] c) sand, and

[0023] d) a finely divided magnetic material on a surface of thestructural substrate. The structural substrate may have either ahorizontal surface application or a vertical surface application.

[0024] Instead of the acrylic polymer, a cementitious grout (liquid)admixture such as UT 91-1 made by DRYVIT and finish coat may be used.

[0025] A magnetic template is used in a method of applying a fluidcomposition to a magnetic structural substrate. The fluid compositioncontains:

[0026] a) an acrylic polymer,

[0027] b) a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene, and,

[0028] c) sand.

[0029] As stated above, instead of the acrylic polymer, a liquidadmixture of a cementitious grout such as UT 91-1 made by DRYVIT andfinish coat may be used.

[0030] Illustrative of the invention, the method includes placing amagnetic template on the magnetic structural substrate, then applyingthe fluid composition. By magnetic is meant magnetic or magneticallyattractable. Where the two are used in combination at least one ismagnetic. The other can be magnetic or magnetically attractable.

[0031] According to the invention, the magnetic template is used in adouble coating method of forming a patterned coating on a structuralsubstrate. The first coating is applied by:

[0032] a) applying an adhesive fluid composition containing:

[0033] a1) an acrylic polymer (or liquid admixture as stated above),

[0034] a2) a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene,

[0035] a3) sand, and,

[0036] a4) a finely divided magnetic material to a structural substrate.

[0037] The fluid composition is dried to form a magnetic coating on thestructural substrate. Then a magnetically attractable template is placedon the magnetic coating. A second fluid composition is then applied ontop of the magnetic coating. The second fluid composition contains:

[0038] d1) an acrylic polymer, and

[0039] d2) sand.

[0040] The second layer is dried and the template is removed to form apattern.

[0041] In practicing the present invention, a magnetically attractabletemplate is used to form a pattern on a magnetic surface so long asthere is mutual attraction between the two surfaces.

[0042] The magnetically attractable or magnetic template is placed onthe magnetically attractable or magnetic surface. A coating is thenapplied to the surface. The template is then removed to form a surfacepattern.

[0043] The present invention is also useful in creating a structuralsubstrate having a molded surface on both sides. To a panel having twosides is adhesively secured two foamed plastic sheets, one to each ofthe two sides by an inner surface of each sheet, leaving the outersurface of each foamed sheet exposed. A molded surface is adhesivelysecured to each of the outer surfaces of each foamed plastic sheet.

[0044] The invention includes means for connecting the structuralsubstrate or panel used in the fence system to a post. Although themeans can be adapted to include a mating half on the side edges of eachpanel which directly connects with a post on each end of the panel, eachpost having the corresponding mating half of the connecting means, it ispreferable that the connecting means be made in three pieces. That is,similar shaped connectors or members are located on the side edges ofeach panel and each post. An interlocking third connector or member isthen inserted between the post and an adjoining panel. The thirdconnector engages the similar corresponding mating connectors on thepost and panel thereby interconnecting the panel to each post as thefence assembly or system is being constructed.

[0045] In the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments of thepresent invention:

[0046]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a plastic substrate coatedwith a sand filled acrylic, chlorinated rubber composition;

[0047]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a cement substrate having twocoatings of contrasting colors;

[0048]FIG. 3 is a front view of the coated substrate of FIG. 2 showingthe brick pattern formed;

[0049]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the substrate of FIG. 2 havingan additional clear sealing coat;

[0050]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a coated substrate having astencil between coating layers;

[0051]FIG. 6 is a front view of the coated substrate of FIG. 5 with thestencil removed showing grout lines;

[0052]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a procedure for attachingmolded surfaces to both sides of a foam plastic sandwich;

[0053]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a substrate coated with amagnetic coating;

[0054]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a large coated wall, a smallerstencil and a coating over the stencil;

[0055]FIG. 10 is a front view of the wall with the stencil removed,showing grout lines;

[0056]FIG. 11 is a front view of a portion of a typical fenceinstallation using the coated panels depicted as a brick facing;

[0057]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional top view depicting a typicalapplication of a panel connected to a post and an alternative connectionof a panel connected to an adjoining panel using a preferred embodimentfor the connector means in each case;

[0058]FIG. 13 is an exploded corner view depicting a typical applicationof the installation of the connector channel member on the side edges ofeach panel;

[0059]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an interconnecting member used tojoin he panels or each panel to a post;

[0060]FIGS. 15a, 15 b, 15 c and 15 d depict examples of typicalorientation and alternative connectors that are contemplated in thepresent invention; and

[0061]FIG. 16 is an exploded cross-sectional portion of one embodimentof a coated panel or substrate contemplated by the present invention.

EXAMPLES

[0062] The following examples are presented to illustrate the invention,which is not intended to be in any way limited thereto, since numerousmodifications and variations therein will be apparent to one skilled inthe art.

Example 1

[0063] One gallon of WELDBOND adhesive was mixed thoroughly with onequart of DRYVIT ULTRATEX acrylic sand coating. DRYVIT ULTRATEX acrylicsand coating is comprised of sand in an acrylic emulsion. DRYVITULTRATEX acrylic sand coating is believed to have a composition similarto that of DRYVIT acrylic sand coating. DRYVIT acrylic sand coatingcontains from sixty two to sixty six percent by weight of encapsulatedsand, three to seven percent by weight of silicates, twelve to fifteenpercent by weight of water, eight and one half percent to ten and twotenths percent by weight of acrylic latex polymer/binder and one to fiveand one half percent by weight of titanium dioxide. WELDBOND adhesive iscomprised of a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene-based contact cement,which contains methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and toluene. An adhesive rolleris used to apply the mixture as a coating 12 to a metal or a plasticpanel 10 (See FIG. 1). The coating 12 is allowed to dry and/or cure forup to twenty-four hours. The DRYVIT ULTRATEX is a grout coat. Thebenefit of the formula is the elasticity and bonding it provides. It isalso resistant to mildew and algae growth. The composition is useful forcoating flexible panels such as steel, aluminum, and plastic panels suchas POLYCOR plastic panels or PLASTICOR plastic panels. POLYCOR plasticpanels are believed to be made from polyester resin. PLASTICOR plasticpanels contain polypropylene copolymer and polyethylene, and have athickness of from two to ten millimeters. PLASTICOR is corona treated onboth sides to improve adhesion.

Example 2

[0064] Example 1 was repeated using STOSILCO FLEX #S.W.1 acrylic sandcoating instead of DRYVIT ULTRATEX. STOSILCO FLEX #S.W.1 is comprised ofsand in an acrylic or emulsion and is silicone enhanced. The compositionof Example 2 was found to be very useful in bridging hairline cracks instucco, cement and other substrates.

Example 3

[0065] Example 1 was repeated using DRYVIT acrylic sand coating 14 (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) instead of DRYVIT ULTRATEX. DRYVIT has a red or blackbrick color. A patterned coating of DRYVIT ULTRATEX 16 on a groutcolored substrate forms a panel looking like a brick wall 18. Thecomposition of DRYVIT is disclosed above.

Example 4

[0066] Example 3 was repeated and a finish, sealer coat 21 (see FIG. 4)was applied to the decorative panel 18. The sealer can be any commercialmasonry sealer such as Thompson Water Sealer or a sealer from DryvitSystems, Inc.

Example 5

[0067] One gallon of WELDWOOD brand contact cement was mixed with onehalf quart of DRYVIT ULTRATEX acrylic based sand coating materialcontaining iron filings and having a dark gray color. The contact cementis a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene rubber dissolved and/ordispersed in naphtha and/or other organic solvent such as toluene. Themixture was rolled onto a POLYCOR plastic panel 22 (see FIG. 5) andallowed to dry and/or cure for twenty four hours to form coating 24.DRYVIT ULTRATEX acrylic based sand adhesive coating material was thentrowled onto the coated panel to form coating 26. After drying andcuring, a magnetic steel grout stencil 28 was placed over the coatedpanel and another coating of DRYVIT ULTRATEX acrylic based sand finishwas applied to form coating 30. After four hours, the magnetic steelstencil 28 was pulled from the coated panel to create grout lines 32.

Example 6

[0068] A plastic panel 34 (see FIG. 7) six feet long, six inches wideand one half inch thick was coated on both sides with two ounces ofwater activatable MORTON adhesive 36. WELDBOND adhesive or the likecould have also been used. The MORTON adhesive 36 was first applied toone side of the plastic panel 34 and subjected to a water mist toactivate the adhesive 36 and then the same procedure was applied to theother side to form a sandwich 37 with one fourth inch thick plastic foam38. Pressure was applied to the sandwich 37 and the sandwich was driedfor twenty-four hours.

[0069] A decorative coating is prepared by Spraying Gordon #808 waterbased carnauba wax 40 onto a rubber mold 42, then waiting for a fewminutes, then spreading sixteen ounces of DRYVIT ULTRATEX polymer finish44 with a trowel into the mold and allowing the ULTRATEX polymer 44 todry about twenty four hours.

[0070] MORTON 640 adhesive 46 was trowled onto the DRYVIT ULTRATEX 44polymer in the mold and onto one side of the plastic sandwich 37. Themold was placed on one side of the sandwich with the ULTRATEX coatedsurfaces 46 in contact and pressure was applied overnight.

[0071] An edge of the polymer in the mold was gently grabbed and themold 42 was pulled to separate the mold 42 from the molded surface onthe sandwich 37. The procedure was repeated to form a molded surface onthe other side of the sandwich. The procedure was used to make imitationwood.

[0072] The plastic panel 34 can be flexible or rigid.

Example 7

[0073] Mixing one gallon of WELDBOND adhesive with one quart of DRYVITULTRATEX acrylic sand material is an example of a material 48 (see FIG.8) that can be used to form a substrate for a magnetic stencil. TheWELDBOND adhesive is a contact cement. Twelve ounces of the abovemixture are then mixed with eighteen ounces of magnetic paint. The finalproduct is then troweled onto a structure, such as a driveway, sidewalk,roof, panel or a wall 50 to form a magnetic coating on the structure.

Example 8

[0074] Three ounces of the WELDBOND adhesive and the DRYVIT ULTRATEXmixture of Example 7 are mixed with six ounces of iron shavings to forma magnetic final product.

Example 9

[0075] A magnetic paint formulation is prepared by mixing one gallon ofWELDWOOD DAP adhesive with one quart of DRYVIT ULTRATEX acrylic sandmaterial. To the mixture is added two times the weight of the mixture ofmagnetic or magnetizable shavings, filings or powder. The material 52(see FIG. 9) is trowled on the entire surface of a wall 54 and allowedto cure and dry for twenty-four hours. A magnetic stencil 56 made ofmagnetized steel is applied to a three foot by four foot section of thewall 54 and DRYVIT sand filled acrylic latex alone 57, which has a brickcolor, is applied. After the DRYVIT sand filled acrylic latex dries, thestencil 56 is removed leaving a grout pattern 58 (see FIG. 10) betweenthe imitation bricks 60. WELDWOOD DAP adhesive is believed to be acontact cement containing a halogenated rubber in naphtha and/or otherorganic solvent such as toluene. The contact cement can also be in theform of an emulsion in water.

[0076] Any finely divided magnetic material or magnetizable materialsuch as shavings, filings, or powder can be used in any formulation ofthe present invention. The magnetizable material can be made magneticusing a solenoid. A solenoid can also be used to magnetize amagnetizable panel. By magnetic stencil is meant any stencil that isattracted by a magnetic field and/or any stencil that is magnetized.

[0077] Other components can be present in the compositions of thepresent invention such as titanium dioxide, perlite, marble, silica, andcalcium carbonate, to name but a few. The components, including sand canbe encapsulated in an organic polymer to aid in forming a dispersion inthe coating compositions of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to the Figures related to the fence system, that is,FIGS. 11-16, one embodiment of the fence system 100 includes a postmember 102 to which a side edge 106 of a fence panel 108 is joined whenassembled. As described above, the fence panel 108 in this embodimentmay be a structural substrate 108 a having a coating 108 b on eachsurface 108 c thereof. The coating 108 b may include an acrylic polymer,a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene, and sand.

[0079] The structural substrate 108 a may be flexible or rigid and madeone of metal, plastic, foam, wood and a combination thereof. Typically,a fence panel 108 may be as little as ½ inch thick to as much as 8 ormore inches thick, depending on customer requirements.

[0080] The fence system 100 further comprises means 110 forinterconnecting each side edge 106 of the fence panel 108 to one of thepost member 104 and another side edge 106 of another fence panel 104.

[0081] Although a post member 104 may have one means 110 forinterconnecting a fence panel 108 to it, intermediate post members 104can have at least two means 110 for interconnecting the side edge 106 ofadjoining fence panels 108. In this case, the at least two means 110 forinterconnecting the side edge 106 of adjoining fence panels 108 on thepost member 104 can be oriented so as to allow for the installation ofadjoining fence panels 108 in one of a linear orientation, anapproximate perpendicular orientation, a desired angular orientation 112and a combination thereof, as represented by FIGS. 15a-15 d. The postmembers are modified to accommodate two-way, three-way and four-wayconnections.

[0082] The post members 104 may be made from wood, concrete, polymericmaterial, steel, aluminum, and combinations thereof. They may besquare-shaped, rectangular-shaped, at least partially arcuate-shaped,and otherwise shaped to accommodate the installation or a desiredaesthetic design.

[0083] The means 110 for interconnecting each side edge 106 of the fencepanel 108 to one of the post member 104 and another side edge 106 ofanother fence panel 108 typically comprises a first engagement portion114 along each edge 106 of the fence panel 108 and at least onesimilarly shaped engagement portion 114 on each post member 104. Alsoincluded is a mating second engagement portion 116 adapted to engagewith one of the first engagement portion 114 on one side edge 106 of thefence panel 108 and another first engagement portion 114 on an adjoiningside edge 106 of another fence panel 108 (as represented in FIG. 12) andof the first engagement portion 114 on one side edge 106 of the fencepanel 108 and the first engagement portion 114 on the post member 104.

[0084] Each first engagement portion 114 along each edge 106 of eachfence panel 108 is preferably a channel member 118 formed with twoopposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shaped members 120 protrudingtherefrom, each first engagement portion 114 on each post membercomprises two opposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shaped members120 protruding from the post member 104, thereby forming a femaleconnector on each of the fence panels 108 and each post member 104. Eachmating second engagement portion 116 is preferably an elongated channelmember formed in a generally H-shape cross-section as depicted in FIG.14, thereby forming a male connector to join the fence componentstogether. This generally H-shaped cross-sectional channel member may behollow or solid throughout, or it may have a hollow core filled with afiller material. It may be made from a variety of materials includingaluminum, polymeric materials, steel and other materials or combinationof materials suitable to interconnect the fence components, whilemaintaining its proper installation.

[0085] Although the preferred embodiment as described above, of thefirst engagement portion essentially make this portion a femaleconnector and the mating second engagement portion essentially makesthis portion the male connector, it is contemplated that the portionsmay be reversed so that the male connectors are on the panels and postmembers and the mating portion is an elongate member with the a total of4 spaced-apart L-shaped members, two of which share a common planarportion of the connector with the other two.

[0086] Other embodiments contemplated by the present invention generallyinclude the same features and structure described above for the fencecomponents related to the post and interconnecting means 110 withvariations of the coatings 108 b on the fence panels 108.

[0087] Examples include an embodiment where the fence panel 108 is astructural substrate 108 a having two coatings 108 b on each surface 108c thereof, the first coating comprising an acrylic polymer, achlorinated rubber such as neoprene, sand, and a first colorant; and thesecond coating comprising an acrylic polymer, sand and a colorant of adifferent color than the first coating and the second coating forms apattern on the first coating.

[0088] Another embodiment is where the fence panel 108 is a structuralsubstrate 108 a having three coatings 108 b on each surface 108 cthereof, the first coating comprising an acrylic polymer, a chlorinatedrubber such as neoprene, sand and a first colorant; and the secondcoating comprising an acrylic polymer, sand and a colorant of adifferent color than the first coating and the second coating forms apattern on the first coating; and the third coating comprising a sealingcoat. An additional embodiment to this one is where the second coatingforms a discontinuous coating on the first coating.

[0089] Another embodiment is where the fence panel 108 is a structuralsubstrate 108 a having a coating 108 b on each surface 108 c thereof,the coating 108 b comprising an acrylic polymer, a chlorinated rubbersuch as neoprene, sand and a finely divided magnetic material.

[0090] A still another embodiment is where the fence panel 108 is astructural substrate 108 a having a molded surface 108 d on each surface108 c thereof, the structural substrate 108 a comprising a panel(similar to that depicted in FIG. 7) having two sides, foamed plasticsheets adhesively secured to each of the two sides by an inner surfaceof each sheet, leaving an outer surface of each sheet exposed, and amolded surface adhesively secured to each of the outer surfaces of eachfoamed plastic sheet. An additional embodiment to this one is where themolded surface comprises a sand filled acrylic polymer.

[0091] It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detaileddescription of the embodiments to the present invention and thatnumerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordancewith the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. The preceding description therefore, is not meant tolimit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention isto be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence system comprising: a post member to whicha side edge of a fence panel is joined when assembled; the fence panelbeing a structural substrate having a coating on each surface thereof,the coating comprising an acrylic polymer, a chlorinated rubber such asneoprene, and sand; means for interconnecting each side edge of thefence panel to one of the post member and another side edge of anotherfence panel.
 2. The fence system according to claim 1, wherein thestructural substrate is one of flexible and rigid.
 3. The fence systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the structural substrate is made from oneof metal, plastic, foam, wood and a combination thereof.
 4. The fencesystem according to claim 1, wherein the post member has at least twomeans for interconnecting the side edge of adjoining fence panels. 5.The fence system according to claim 4, wherein the at least two meansfor interconnecting the side edge of adjoining fence panels on the postmember are oriented so as to allow for the installation of adjoiningfence panels in one of a linear orientation, an approximateperpendicular orientation, a desired angular orientation and acombination thereof.
 6. The fence system according to claim 1, whereinthe means for interconnecting each side edge of the fence panel to oneof the post member and another side edge of another fence panelcomprises: a first engagement portion along each edge of the fence paneland at least one similarly shaped engagement portion on each postmember; and a mating second engagement portion adapted to engage withone of the first engagement portion on one side edge of the fence paneland another first engagement portion on an adjoining side edge ofanother fence panel and of the first engagement portion on one side edgeof the fence panel and the first engagement portion on the post member.7. The fence system according to claim 6, wherein each first engagementportion along each edge of each fence panel is a channel member formedwith two opposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shaped membersprotruding therefrom and each first engagement portion on each postmember comprises two opposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shapedmembers protruding from the post member, thereby forming a femaleconnector on each of the fence panel and the post member, and whereineach mating second engagement portion is an elongated channel memberformed in a generally H-shape cross-section, thereby forming a maleconnector.
 8. The fence system according to claim 7, wherein the firstengagement portion and the mating second engagement portion are madefrom one of aluminum, steel and polymeric material.
 9. A fence systemcomprising: a post member to which a side edge of a fence panel isjoined when assembled; the fence panel being a structural substratehaving two coatings on each surface thereof, the first coatingcomprising an acrylic polymer, a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene,sand, and a first colorant; and the second coating comprising an acrylicpolymer, sand and a colorant of a different color than the first coatingand the second coating forms a pattern on the first coating; means forinterconnecting each side edge of the fence panel to one of the postmember and another side edge of another fence panel.
 10. The fencesystem according to claim 9, wherein the structural substrate is one offlexible and rigid.
 11. The fence system according to claim 9, whereinthe structural substrate is made from one of metal, plastic, foam, woodand a combination thereof.
 12. The fence system according to claim 9,wherein the second coating forms a discontinuous coating on the firstcoating.
 13. The fence system according to claim 9, wherein the postmember has at least two means for interconnecting the side edge ofadjoining fence panels.
 14. The fence system according to claim 13,wherein the at least two means for interconnecting the side edge ofadjoining fence panels on the post member are oriented so as to allowfor the installation of adjoining fence panels in one of a linearorientation, an approximate perpendicular orientation, a desired angularorientation and a combination thereof.
 15. The fence system according toclaim 9, wherein the means for interconnecting each side edge of thefence panel to one of the post member and another side edge of anotherfence panel comprises: a first engagement portion along each edge of thefence panel and at least one similarly shaped engagement portion on eachpost member; and a mating second engagement portion adapted to engagewith one of the first engagement portion on one side edge of the fencepanel and another first engagement portion on an adjoining side edge ofanother fence panel and of the first engagement portion on one side edgeof the fence panel and the first engagement portion on the post member.16. The fence system according to claim 15, wherein each firstengagement portion along each edge of each fence panel is a channelmember formed with two opposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shapedmembers protruding therefrom and each first engagement portion on eachpost member comprises two opposite facing spaced-apart generallyL-shaped members protruding from the post member, thereby forming afemale connector on each of the fence panel and the post member, andwherein each mating second engagement portion is an elongated channelmember formed in a generally H-shape cross-section, thereby forming amale connector.
 17. The fence system according to claim 16, wherein thefirst engagement portion and the mating second engagement portion aremade from one of aluminum, steel and polymeric material.
 18. A fencesystem comprising: a post member to which a side edge of a fence panelis joined when assembled; the fence panel being a structural substratehaving three coatings on each surface thereof, the first coatingcomprising an acrylic polymer, a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene,sand and a first colorant; and the second coating comprising an acrylicpolymer, sand and a colorant of a different color than the first coatingand the second coating forms a pattern on the first coating; and thethird coating comprising a sealing coat; means for interconnecting eachside edge of the fence panel to one of the post member and another sideedge of another fence panel.
 19. The fence system according to claim 18,wherein the structural substrate is one of flexible and rigid.
 20. Thefence system according to claim 18, wherein the structural substrate ismade from one of metal, plastic, foam, wood and a combination thereof.21. The fence system according to claim 18, wherein the second coatingforms a discontinuous coating on the first coating.
 22. The fence systemaccording to claim 18, wherein the post member has at least two meansfor interconnecting the side edge of adjoining fence panels.
 23. Thefence system according to claim 22, wherein the at least two means forinterconnecting the side edge of adjoining fence panels on the postmember are oriented so as to allow for the installation of adjoiningfence panels in one of a linear orientation, an approximateperpendicular orientation, a desired angular orientation and acombination thereof.
 24. The fence system according to claim 18, whereinthe means for interconnecting each side edge of the fence panel to oneof the post member and another side edge of another fence panelcomprises: a first engagement portion along each edge of the fence paneland at least one similarly shaped engagement portion on each postmember; and a mating second engagement portion adapted to engage withone of the first engagement portion on one side edge of the fence paneland another first engagement portion on an adjoining side edge ofanother fence panel and of the first engagement portion on one side edgeof the fence panel and the first engagement portion on the post member.25. The fence system according to claim 24, wherein each firstengagement portion along each edge of each fence panel is a channelmember formed with two opposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shapedmembers protruding therefrom and each first engagement portion on eachpost member comprises two opposite facing spaced-apart generallyL-shaped members protruding from the post member, thereby forming afemale connector on each of the fence panel and the post member, andwherein each mating second engagement portion is an elongated channelmember formed in a generally H-shape cross-section, thereby forming amale connector.
 26. The fence system according to claim 25, wherein thefirst engagement portion and the mating second engagement portion aremade from one of aluminum, steel and polymeric material.
 27. A fencesystem comprising: a post member to which a side edge of a fence panelis joined when assembled; the fence panel being a structural substratehaving a coating on each surface thereof, the coating comprising: one ofan acrylic polymer and a liquid admixture of a cementitious groutmaterial and finish coat; a chlorinated rubber such as neoprene; sand;and a finely divided magnetic material; means for interconnecting eachside edge of the fence panel to one of the post member and another sideedge of another fence panel.
 28. The fence system according to claim 27,wherein the structural substrate is one of flexible and rigid.
 29. Thefence system according to claim 27, wherein the structural substrate ismade from one of metal, plastic, foam, wood and a combination thereof.30. The fence system according to claim 27, wherein the post member hasat least two means for interconnecting the side edge of adjoining fencepanels.
 31. The fence system according to claim 30, wherein the at leasttwo means for interconnecting the side edge of adjoining fence panels onthe post member are oriented so as to allow for the installation ofadjoining fence panels in one of a linear orientation, an approximateperpendicular orientation, a desired angular orientation and acombination thereof.
 32. The fence system according to claim 27, whereinthe means for interconnecting each side edge of the fence panel to oneof the post member and another side edge of another fence panelcomprises: a first engagement portion along each edge of the fence paneland at least one similarly shaped engagement portion on each postmember; and a mating second engagement portion adapted to engage withone of the first engagement portion on one side edge of the fence paneland another first engagement portion on an adjoining side edge ofanother fence panel and of the first engagement portion on one side edgeof the fence panel and the first engagement portion on the post member.33. The fence system according to claim 32, wherein each firstengagement portion along each edge of each fence panel is a channelmember formed with two opposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shapedmembers protruding therefrom and each first engagement portion on eachpost member comprises two opposite facing spaced-apart generallyL-shaped members protruding from the post member, thereby forming afemale connector on each of the fence panel and the post member, andwherein each mating second engagement portion is an elongated channelmember formed in a generally H-shape cross-section, thereby forming amale connector.
 34. The fence system according to claim 33, wherein thefirst engagement portion and the mating second engagement portion aremade from one of aluminum, steel and polymeric material.
 35. A fencesystem comprising: a post member to which a side edge of a fence panelis joined when assembled; the fence panel being a structural substratehaving a molded surface on each surface thereof, the structuralsubstrate comprising a panel having two sides, foamed plastic sheetsadhesively secured to each of the two sides by an inner surface of eachsheet, leaving an outer surface of each sheet exposed, and a moldedsurface adhesively secured to each of the outer surfaces of each foamedplastic sheet; means for interconnecting each side edge of the fencepanel to one of the post member and another side edge of another fencepanel.
 36. The fence system according to claim 35, wherein thestructural substrate is one of flexible and rigid.
 37. The fence systemaccording to claim 35, wherein the structural substrate is made from oneof metal, plastic, foam, wood and a combination thereof.
 38. The fencesystem according to claim 35, wherein the molded surface comprises asand filled acrylic polymer.
 39. The fence system according to claim 35,wherein the post member has at least two means for interconnecting theside edge of adjoining fence panels.
 40. The fence system according toclaim 39, wherein the at least two means for interconnecting the sideedge of adjoining fence panels on the post member are oriented so as toallow for the installation of adjoining fence panels in one of a linearorientation, an approximate perpendicular orientation, a desired angularorientation and a combination thereof.
 41. The fence system according toclaim 40, wherein the means for interconnecting each side edge of thefence panel to one of the post member and another side edge of anotherfence panel comprises: a first engagement portion along each edge of thefence panel and at least one similarly shaped engagement portion on eachpost member; and a mating second engagement portion adapted to engagewith one of the first engagement portion on one side edge of the fencepanel and another first engagement portion on an adjoining side edge ofanother fence panel and of the first engagement portion on one side edgeof the fence panel and the first engagement portion on the post member.42. The fence system according to claim 41, wherein each firstengagement portion along each edge of each fence panel is a channelmember formed with two opposite facing spaced-apart generally L-shapedmembers protruding therefrom and each first engagement portion on eachpost member comprises two opposite facing spaced-apart generallyL-shaped members protruding from the post member, thereby forming afemale connector on each of the fence panel and the post member, andwherein each mating second engagement portion is an elongated channelmember formed in a generally H-shape cross-section, thereby forming amale connector.
 43. The fence system according to claim 42, wherein thefirst engagement portion and the mating second engagement portion aremade from one of aluminum, steel and polymeric material.
 44. Astructural substrate having a coating, the coating comprising: a liquidadmixture of a cementitious grout material and finish coat; achlorinated rubber such as neoprene; sand; and a finely divided magneticmaterial.
 45. A method of forming a patterned coating on a structuralsubstrate comprising: applying a fluid composition containing: a liquidadmixture of a cementitious grout material and finish coat, achlorinated rubber such as neoprene, sand, and a finely divided magneticmaterial to a structural substrate; drying the fluid composition to forma magnetic coating on the structural substrate; placing a magnetictemplate on the magnetic coating on the coated structural substrate;applying a second fluid composition on the magnetic coating, the secondfluid composition containing: an acrylic polymer, and sand; drying thesecond layer; and removing the template to form a pattern.